Ms. Tan Is The Real Boss

Tan Rou and Lan Ning had been keeping company with Li Li. At first, Li Li complained of stomach pain. Later, the doctor prescribed some pain medicine for her, and after receiving the IV, she fell asleep.

“Should we tell Li Li’s parents about her condition?” Lan Ning asked. “Her injuries are so severe, they would definitely be distraught if they saw her like this.”

After thinking it over, Tan Rou replied, “Let’s wait until Li Li wakes up and let her make that decision.”

Filled with guilt, Lan Ning said, “The incident tonight was all my fault. If I hadn’t insisted on going to see Wu Hao, Li Li wouldn’t have come with me. Moreover, if Li Li hadn’t pulled me away at the last moment, I would have been the one kicked. It’s all my fault.”

Tan Rou soothed her, “This isn’t your fault. None of us could have predicted that Li Li would get hurt. Besides, both parties were in the wrong; Li Li and Wu Hao were both impulsive. Now they are both injured. Even if the police get involved, they would only give them a warning.”

“Li Li is certainly not able to attend classes with her injury. I’ll stay here to take care of her until she’s discharged,” Lan Ning said. “And I’ll cover Li Li’s medical expenses, since it was due to me that she got injured.”

“Discuss that with Li Li when she wakes up,” Tan Rou said, unable to make decisions on behalf of Li Li. “But I don’t think Li Li will let you pay for the medical expenses. The fault lies with Li Li and Wu Hao, not you. They fought and ended up hurting each other, so they need to bear the consequences themselves.”

“It wasn’t you who caused them to fight, and you even tried to break it up during the fight, nearly getting hurt yourself. So, I think Li Li won’t blame you,” Tan Rou continued. “If you feel bad, then just take good care of her. Maybe you can bring her some delicious food from time to time. There’s usually a cook at my place; you can just go straight there.”

“Ok, I will take good care of Li Li,” Lan Ning said.

As dawn approached, Tan Rou left. She had two public classes at 8 a.m. the next day and had to hurry back. Neither Lan Ning nor Li Li had classes that morning, and even if they did, it wouldn’t have been possible to attend given their current situation.

Early the next day, Lan Ning asked for a leave of absence for Li Li via her own instructor, who helped her get the phone number of Li Li’s instructor. Li Li’s instructor, upon learning of her injury, said they would visit Li Li at noon. Lan Ning agreed on Li Li’s behalf.

Li Li slept until 10 a.m., an unusually long time for her, mainly due to the side effects of the pain-relieving medicine, which caused drowsiness.

Upon waking, however, the effects of the medicine had worn off, and her stomach was still in pain, even worse than the night before.

“Did the doctor punch and kick my stomach last night?” Li Li spoke weakly, “My stomach hurts a bit.”

Hearing her speak, Lan Ning immediately sat beside her. “Where does it hurt? I’ll call the doctor right now…”

“No need,” Li Li said. “Rest for a bit first. Your eyes are so red; you must have stayed up all night, right?”

Lan Ning wasn’t sleepy at all. Whenever she thought about Li Li’s injury, sleep was the last thing on her mind.

“I’m not sleepy,” Lan Ning asked. “Li Li, are you hungry?”

Li Li was indeed a bit hungry, but her stomach pain made it difficult to eat. “Not right now, just get me some water to drink,” she said.

Lan Ning handed her the prepared warm water and discussed visiting arrangements with her.

“This morning when I requested leave for you, your instructor said they would come to see you at noon. They just messaged saying they will be here at 11:30 and asked if you were awake,” Lan Ning said. “I had just told them you were still asleep, and then you started talking.”

Li Li managed a faint laugh before clutching at her stomach, “Ouch!”

Anxiously, Lan Ning asked, “Which part hurts? I’ll go call a doctor to check on you.”

Li Li stopped her. “Wait a bit before calling. Help me comb my hair and wash my face first; I don’t want to see anyone looking like this.”